Parshall flumes

The Parshall flume consists of a metal or concrete channel structure with three main
sections: (1) a converging section at the upstream end, leading to (2) a constricted or throat
section and (3) a diverging section at the downstream end.


Depending on the flow condition (free flow or submerged flow), the water depth readings
are taken on one scale only (the upstream one) or on both scales simultaneously.









Parshall Flume Free-flow Discharge Equations.













Parshall flumes, like all flumes, require a minimum head loss to ensure that free-flow exist
and that only a single upstream head measurement is needed to determine the discharge
rate. When the downstream water surface rises above a critical point, the resistance to flow
in the downstream channel becomes sufficient to reduce the upstream velocity, increase the
upstream flow depth, and cause a backwater effect in the flume.
Unlike free-flow conditions where only one head measurements is required, submerged flow
requires the measurement of both the upstream head (Ha) and the downstream head (Hb)
(located in the throat for a Parshall Flume). The crest (flat upstream floor) of the flume is the
reference level for both measurements.
The ration of the downstream head to upstream head, Hb/Ha, expressed as a percent, is
define as the submergence ratio. Research has shown that the discharge rate of a Parshall
flume is not reduced (that is the flume operates under free-flow conditions) until the
submergence ratio exceeds a critical value (the submergence transition, St).
The submergence transition, St, (Hb/Ha) ratios for Parshall Flumes are as follows:
50% 1-3 inch flumes
60% 6-9 inch flumes
70% 1-8 foot flumes
80% 10-50 foot flumes

At, and above, these ratios, submerged flow condition exist. Two head measurements must
be taken with the information then applied to special submerged flow discharge tables. Care
should be take not use free-flow discharge tables as they will overstate the actual discharge
rate.
As the submergence in a Parsahll flume increases, the strong, backward-rolling hydraulic
jump in the discharge section decreases and a series of smooth standing waves form in the
discharge section (approximately at a submergence ratio of 90%). The change from the
rolling jump to the standing waves is abrupt, and once formed, will persist even as the
submergence level decreases. The submergence at which this change occurs can be
defined as the critical submergence.
For high submergence, where the submergence ratio exceeds 0.95 (95% submergence), little
faith can be placed on the resultant value as very minor errors in determining the Ha or Hb levels
become critical. Practically speaking, a submergence ratio of 90% should be considered the
upper end of correctable flow. In addition to the obvious effects of increasing the complexity of
determining the reduced discharge rate and raising the upstream flow depth (which could lead to
overtopping the upstream channel), the decrease in the upstream velocity may lead to or
aggravate sedimentation problems. It is important to remember in evaluating existing
installations that downstream water levels can change with changes in downstream flow
resistance, which frequently varies with sediment deposits, debris, canal checking operations,
and aging. Increased downstream flow resistance can result in flumes originally designed for
free-flow conditions to experience submergence.




When compared with a Parshall flume operating under free-flow conditions, a Parshall flume
operating under submerged flow conditions does offer two primary advantages: (1) there is less
energy loss, and (2) the inlet floor of the flume can be placed at the same elevation as the channel
bottom. Typically, to insure free flow, the inlet floor of a Parshall flume is set above the grade of
the channel resulting in greater upstream depths. In natural channels this may cause additional
silting and increased upstream seepage losses. A Parshall flume submerged from the outset
could minimize these conditions. Keep in mind, though, that since the flow in the throat is quite
turbulent, causing the water level to fluctuate considerably, it is difficult to accurately measure
Hb with a staff gauge. Consequently, a stilling well is typically required for an accurate
measurement of Hb. The addition of a secondary stilling well creates its own problems, though,
as silting and clogging (and the associated maintenance) become issues on solids / debris laden
flows. Additionally, the cost and complexity of secondary meters or methods used to determine
the submerged flow rate typically outweigh any benefits that submerged flow metering might
convey. While corrections can be made for submergence, Openchannelflow recommends that
flumes should selected, sized, and installed so as to ensure that free-flow conditions exist at all
times when at all possible.













Figure of Parshall Diagram